“So let me get this straight, Eric. You’d like to arrange for the surrender of an unknown number of troops at fortification 2W which, along with the capture of that fort and 1N, will give us a clear route into the city without having to worry about enemy fire?”

Eric cracked open a cold ale and drank deep before nodding at Lord Drevyn and Lady Valorn’s images, minimized in the upper right corner as he reviewed once more the exquisitely detailed map of the city overlaid on his monitors.

Struck by sudden inspiration, he pricked his thumb, allowing the blood to well as he placed it on the monitor, simultaneously closing his eyes and pulling up his interface tab.

You have successfully accessed 6783Y conquest map.

Contender Status Noted! You have system-wide permission to access and upload this database.

Do you wish to upload real-time Conquest Map? Yes/No

Warning, reciprocity will be in effect! All opposing parties will see your territories and territorial alliances when you enter their territory! - Note. You currently claim no territories. You currently serve no rulers.

You have chosen YES! Upload complete! (Upload will stay current, so long as you remain on Subjugated World 6783Y!)

“Eric, what the hell are you doing?” Asked an impatient Lady Valorn, when Eric began to cackle with mad glee.

Eric shook his head, momentarily overwhelmed by the sheer amount of data suddenly at his mental fingertips, the entire world a checkerboard comprised of thousands upon thousands of separate territories and fiefdoms of countless colors and shades, though the vast majority of it was still shades of grey, depicting no-man's-lands of what he sensed were inhabited by beasts of very high potencies or levels.

Where he was currently was tiered as a far lower potency area, which his map tiered as a Level 15 or lower region, as were all the territories around various population centers. But it was clear enough from the map that the farther one got from the arterial ribbons of low-level territories threading through the continent that various factions were fighting over, the deadlier the opponents occupying those grey regions would be.

Eric knew it was a risk. From what little he understood, the movers and shakers of other factions might sense his presence the moment he entered their lands. But seeing as he owned no territories, and served no master save himself, hopefully he wouldn't raise too many alarms. And even if there were complications… the ability to spot countless unclaimed territories, or zoom in on the geographical and architectural features of any territory in the world like Google-S maps? He'd be willing to accept a few tense encounters for that priceless boon alone. Even if he was momentarily floored by the wealth of geographical information at his fingertips, to the point that even the pair of Elven nobles peering at his gleefully chuckling countenance were definitely eyeing him with more than a bit of concern.

Fortunately, with a lifetime of internet surfing under his belt, it was nothing to internally zoom out, just like using Googles maps, such that the incredibly detailed terrain became a collage of colors, Eric noting the light red color of Gilton, surrounded by forest green. And a short distance away, surrounded by a tile of light blue, was a city his Interface immediately dinged as Freetown.

Eric laughed with wonder, saluting the intent-looking pair of elves with his ale. “I don't believe it actually worked!" he crowed. "I mean, I shouldn't be too surprised, right? Things have been tweaked way beyond spec since the moment I found out I could still use this computer, which shouldn't even work. Now I'm using a pair of monitors that were never touchscreen, but suddenly have no problem scrolling like a dream!"

Lady Valorn sighed and of her head. “Are you quite finished playing with your screen, Eric? Let’s focus on the task at hand. You’ve successfully taken out two towers. A glorious accomplishment! If you truly think you can sweet-talk leaden-eared swine to head diplomacy's call, then that would be a triumph almost the equal of all your other accomplishments this night."

Lord Drevyn solemnly nodded his agreement. “Commander Valorn is correct. If you can actually manage to convince those swine-face fools to surrender to us… then yes, I will give my word that they will be escorted to Freetown, where they may start their sorry lives fresh, or join up with whatever orc recruiters are to be found there at this time.”

Eric furrowed his brow. “Wait, there are orcish recruiters in Freetown?”

Lady Valorn’s glossy golden lips curved in a teasing grin. "How endearing it is to witness such a contrast of naivete and deadliness in the singularly delicious puzzle that is yourself, dear Eric.”

“Truly, your mother should have prepared you better than this," Lord Drevyn agreed. "It is a miracle that you've come so far, so fast, with so little resources at your disposal." He tilted his head thoughtfully. "Unless, of course, that was her plan all along. Forged in the fires of conflict alone, every step forward one you earned in an arena that transcends all others.”

Eric smirked. “Yeah, all that aside, it would have been nice if she had fucking clued me in on what was going to happen. Anyway, what’s this about orcs in Freetown?”

“All the races are represented to some degree, Eric, in all towns proclaiming neutral status,” Drevyn explained. “It’s part of the charter adhered to by almost all such territories. A truce between all races where commerce and trade are worshiped like gods, and all factions are free to recruit whatever mercenaries, adventurers, or fools that would fight under their banner. Besides being safe havens for your kind, where they may work and live in relative peace, it’s one of the few ways newly subjugated populations can find gainful employment and openings within the dominant factions of their world, though admittedly, some chartered neutral towns are far more… amenable to the cultural ideals you no doubt ascribe to than others.”

“And Freetown is jointly run by Goblins and the Blue Faction," Lady Valorn said with a scowl. "Yet no matter how honorable Blue Corp claims itself to be, with goblins in the mix, you can no doubt imagine just how 'amenable' Freetown actually is, in terms of serving as a haven for the locals. Still, it's a hell of a lot better than orc territory. But even so, the supposedly neutral goblin clans have made no secret of their sympathies towards the orc factions."

Eric clenched his jaw. “So you’re saying Freetown isn't necessarily everything it's cracked up to be, and the goblins are orc sympathizers. Which means that orc hunting is a strict No-no inside Freetown city limits.”

“A policy of not letting wartime sentiments get the best of you in any Neutral city will serve you quite well, Eric,” Drevyn said with a wry half-smile. “Not that I can’t appreciate a good orc-culling, but I recommend against giving in to the impulse. Not if you ever wish to return to any chartered city whose laws of neutrality you violate as anything but a conqueror. With all the peril, and opportunities, such implies.”

Eric nodded. "Noted. Alright. Should I actually manage to get these fools to agree to a cease-fire or a surrender, don't forget the family we want to be especially careful around."

Lady Verona smiled. “So much effort, all for the sake of a young woman’s child. A Javelineer you never met before tonight, who could have so easily killed you, had you not intimidated her with the near instant elimination of her companion.”

Eric scowled. “He wasn’t her companion. He was a psychopathic asshole who enjoyed enslaving and abusing his own kind. My kind. Rica’s just a teenage mom trying to protect her child in a world even more predacious than the one she left behind. And that’s fucking saying something.”

Verona nodded. “Precisely my point. Your compassion does you credit… and they are hardly ‘your kind.’”

Eric very carefully did not respond to this, almost certain she held answers to questions he absolutely did not want asked or answered.

“Now, if that will be all? We will get our forces in order and wait for the signal. And Eric?”

“Yes, Lady Verona?”

“Thank you for letting us know about the artillery cannons. To think that they were so well camouflaged that not even our spies could detect them. 24-pounders capable of shooting rounds that would obliterate even high level White Tier champions a mile distant, with the aid of a shaman’s honing spells...” She solemnly bowed her head, as did Lord Drevyn. “You saved lives with that discovery, proving yourself a champion to our people yet again. And you’ve more than earned a boon for your grace.”

She flashed him a warm, heartfelt smile, rich green eyes staring intently into his own.

Eric gazed thoughtfully at the elven commanders for seconds that seemed to stretch forever before he finally asked a question he had long wrestled with bringing up. But far better his allies know what troubled him, than to share with no one, and later suffer for his folly.

“Actually, there is a boon you could do me that would more than tip the scales, in my mind.”

“Name it,” Lord Drevyn said with surprising speed, Commander Verona nodding as well.

“What can you tell me about titles?” He winced at their sudden deadpan silence. “I mean… how do they work, exactly?”

And still, nothing. Just two pairs of eyes glittering like priceless jewels, staring at him for several long moments, before Lord Drevyn gave the most infinitesimal of nods. “We can’t put a price on even one champion’s life saved. Particularly if such a vile weapon had been revealed only at the crux of our battle.”

Verona nodded at those words. “There is a penalty, of course, but well worth paying.”

Eric’s eyes widened, surprised to find that there were strictures in play for revealing even the most basic truths to new players like himself. But maybe he shouldn’t be. How else, after all, for the powers that represent the well-established order to make sure that their well-trained and perfectly prepared scions had every advantage when it comes to establishing a foothold on freshly conquered worlds? Can’t have the actual natives come out on top, after all.

He did his best to keep a bland expression, even as he ground his teeth. If Lord Drevyn noted, he said nothing, merely tilting his head, gazing intently at Eric. “It would be best if you told me what you knew already.”

Eric shrugged. “I know they’re System commendations you earn by accomplishing feats of significance, and that they come with boons to your stats, increased affinity with various skills, as well as potentially making available new class options. And that’s all in addition to the unexpected perk they might grant you as well.”

Lord Drevyn actually looked relieved. “Good. Then you know the important parts already. Anything we reveal will be of minimal significance.”

Eric smirked. “Sure. Okay, my question is… how common are they? Can one gain so many ability points through titles that leveling up becomes, well… secondary?”

Both Elven nobles gazed at Eric for long moments before bursting out in laughter.

Eric felt his cheeks flush. “Really? That stupid a question? Okay… I’m glad I asked, then. Because I really have no idea.”

Lady Verona was actually wiping tears from her exquisitely made-up eyes. "Oh dear boy, that you would think titles dropping like mana from the heavens, when less than one out of a hundred Chosen achieve even a single one?"

Eric blinked. “Chosen?”

She smirked. "Adventurers, Delvers, Pod Survivors, those graced with the ability to level up and ascend. Though Ascended is normally a term reserved for those who have actually evolved past the limitations of White tier all the way to Bronze, a magnificent feat only a few out of any clan will ever manage to accomplish, walking the path of greater powers who might one day decide the fate of entire kingdoms. Or, if they actually manage to ascend to Silver, entire worlds.”

“Or entire sectors of our galactic cluster, should they ascend high enough,” Drevyn said with a hard smile. “To put it in perspective, a champion who achieved Bronze Ranks would be at the caliber of some of your greatest fictional heroes. For the select few who actually manage to ascend to Silver? You could liken them to at least your lesser gods.”

Eric's eyes widened in awed disbelief. This tidbit alone was worth so much in and of itself, humbling him with how truly insignificant and tiny a player he was in this brave, terrible new world. Even if he was now several times stronger than any human could have been, just a few short months ago.

“Wait, ascending your class to Bronze… then Silver… that opens the way to godlike powers?” His ears rang in memory of the interface messages his Titles had generated, realizing that they had earned him a boon far beyond the admittedly welcome handful of stat points they had granted.

Drevyn shrugged. “Pretty much, yes. Of course, they would have far better things to do than stick around and lord it over powerless muck, void of all significant potency, challenge, or resources. For the sake of their own continued ascension, they’d leave this backwater world the moment they embraced true power. At least, if they wished to continue to advance, and not be seen as a ripe target for any other Silver tier archlord who sensed a new challenger's ascension."

Eric whistled. “Now that is some serious power scaling right there! Reminds me of the huge power surge cultivators get when finally forging their Gold core.” He winced at the pair of hard glares this earned him. “I mean… at least that’s the case in all the cultivation novels I've ever read. But, um, never mind that. This is the real world, after all."

“It is,” Lord Drevyn said. “And cultivation is an entirely different path than that of System calibrated class ascension. One must be very careful, should one dare to walk both paths at once. Be warned that any questions regarding those titans who dare to walk such a bold path forward are well and truly beyond the scope of the information you have bargained for. Titles, and how they work, yes?”

Eric blinked… and immediately flowed into a bow, realizing that the Sylvan lord before him had very deliberately let slip an excruciatingly valuable piece of information. A way to advance and move forward in power besides leveling up and advancing his class. And from what had been implied, they weren’t mutually exclusive, either.

Of course, it also emphasized just how little he knew about pretty much everything, not even knowing how much he didn't know and needed to be educated on if he was to have any hope of evolving as anything more than a naive sucker, easy prey for any true scion of a well-funded clan in the months and years to come.

"That is correct, Lord Drevyn. Thank you for being so patient with me."

This earned a smirk. "Of course. As to titles… how best to put it?" He gazed thoughtfully upwards. "You may think of it as just a bit of a new world's potential, its locked potency so eagerly feasted upon by invading races when magic is finally able to enter its blossoming form, encapsulated in packets of potential claimed by those who prove themselves to be movers and shakers within that world, as signified by singular feats of accomplishment, or by achieving important milestones along particularly significant paths of conquest or personal development.”

Eric frowned thoughtfully. “Like getting the Mad Bomber Title for killing over a hundred orcs with improvised explosives… or the Lightning Marksman Title after making a killshot with arrows that broke the sound barrier. Both titles come with bonuses in the use of certain skills, faster skill progression with a few select skills, and classes that will automatically be open to you, when it’s time to ascend your class.”

He swallowed at the intent, hawklike stares his perhaps foolish confession had earned him. “I mean, all that in addition to the bonus ten or twenty potency points those titles will earn you.”

Lady Verona looked genuinely impressed. “You’ve managed to earn two titles already? And neither of them are insignificant, clearly. A truly impressive feat, Eric Silver.”

Lord Drevyn flashed a genuine smile. “Indeed. It seems as if you have a fair comprehension of titles from intimate personal experience already. And your assertions are correct. Earning a title comes with boons of empowerment that increase your strengths without necessitating leveling up in terms of raw power, in addition to faster skill progression, even unlocking affinities you might never have known you had. And if you are one of the rare young scions given the unique opportunity to earn titles before choosing to evolve your class, or one of the many who defer evolving their class altogether, accepting Basic or Standard level progression until they have considerable prerequisites met, entirely new class options might become available, such as Advanced class options. Perhaps even an Adept class resonating with Bronze Tier concordance, for a very lucky few.”

Lady Verona flashed a cynical smile. “Of course, there is an additional step that might be taken. But very few first generation adventurers are ever in any position to dare infuse their cores. Save for a handful of favored scions who can safely do so, counting on trusted family retainers to protect them, in addition to a fortune invested in spiritual herbs or ascension jewels used to infuse their minds and bodies with the potency and stat boosts they will need to achieve their goals, even as they strive for skill masteries and the deeper affinities needed to unlock truly exceptional classes.”

Eric flashed a smile equally cynical. "So I noted, my Interface trying to force me to make a choice while I was still in danger. If I hadn't had a friend at my back..."

Lord Drevyn’s eyes widened. “So, you’ve actually dared the Path of Core Infusion. And you managed the feat with no aid, instruction, or your mother's resources. Truly impressive." His gaze grew thoughtful. "And fortunate, to have earned multiple titles in the brief golden window of opportunity before you. Have a care. That window will soon close, for all of us, as territories are consolidated, titles claimed, and the true contest begins.”

Eric frowned thoughtfully. "So titles are first come, first serve? My friend and I were afraid of that. But wait, that's not entirely true, is it? I mean, I got the Headhunter perk for taking out the Orc Chieftan, and certainly someone else has taken out at least one before now, right?"

The elven lord nodded. "Correct. Though many of the more prestigious titles are unique, a good number are milestone accomplishments any champion might achieve. But answer me this: Did you achieve any significant bonuses for your feat?"

Eric shook his head. “Now that you mention it… no, not really. I mean, +2 to all attempts to impress or intimidate all you invaders is nice,” he said with a smirk. “But it came with no sweet boost to any of my stats… though all Standard tribal humanoid classes are now open to me. So there’s that, I guess.”

This earned a nod. “As one would expect. The potency boost associated with the feat and any elite affinity or bonus was previously claimed. But lesser boons able to endlessly resonate within the System, such as making available prerequisite-heavy classes that are otherwise quite hard to attain, in addition to a modest social or skill bonus, fueled in part by the potency unlocked with your kills, will last long after any individual world has been consolidated. As you might guess, unlocking additional class options is the key perk all scions of elite clans are after when emulating masterful feats first performed by their ancestors, or others in good standing within their clan."

Eric chuckled ruefully. “And I’m sure the powerful and well-connected have dozens of charts triangulating just the titles to grab in order to unlock whatever classes best suit their children's affinities, assuring them a smooth, effortless path forward in achieving an ascension that would blow most of us hard-working, barely-hanging on chumps fighting for our lives completely out of the water."

Lord Drevyn flashed a cold, cynical smile. "Of course it is that way, Eric. Please don't tell me this is any surprise to you? You must have learned the ways of the world at least to that degree, considering the ruthless waters your mother so loved to wade in, even here on Earth."

Eric flashed a smile equally cynical. “Yeah, the movie business is something else. Twisted and fantastic, and a wonder like no other.” He sighed and shook his head. “And it chews so many people up and spits them out, broken and bitter or just… tired.” He shrugged. “So yeah, nothing’s changed, I guess. Not really.”

"That's not entirely true, Eric," said Lady Verona, her captivating emerald eyes peering so intently to his own. "Cream rises to the top, in all worlds, in all places. And your star is certainly rising. Having claimed two Unique titles and a third hallmark as well. With a core you dare to infuse, and the potential to excel to glorious heights."

She flashed a coaxing smile. "I do hope you will allow me to assist you more directly when we meet in person, Eric Silver. You have so much potential, the heir to so many gifts! It would be a shame, were priceless opportunities to be wasted, simply because you had no clan to guide you on the best path forward."

Eric swallowed thickly at the sharp spike of dread in his gut, all too aware of how perilous the conversation had just become. At least for him, who needed to stay utterly free of any oaths of fealty or similar obligation. Because he was almost certain that one misstep, and he’d lose access to the dark boon that could see him rise head and shoulders above all his competitors one day, even if this brief, halcyon window of earning potency-infused titles could end at any time.

After this battle, after the heist he planned, he might never earn a fresh title again.

So he’d damn well better hold tight to the one edge he had.

Besides, with the way the pair of them kept looking at the tactical backpack his friends had left him, it was clearly time to go. Eric suppressed a wince. It was almost as if the pair of Elven nobles could sense the wondrous secret that had left Eric hooting for joy before he finally collected himself and reached out to his Sylvan allies.

“Well, time waits for no man, or elf. So best I hurry up and arrange whatever surrenders I can,” he said at last.

The pair of elven aristocrats acknowledged his words with a farewell nod.

"Please stay safe, Eric," said Lady Verona. "Because as much as I enjoy hearing of your exploits, I would enjoy hearing them in person even more. Preferably over a glass of mist-wine, and with you alive to savor whatever lessons and insights I might share with you.”

Eric grinned. “I’ll do my best to stay firmly in the land of the living. That’s a promise. And I'll do my damnedest to clear that third keep, so you all have a safe entrance point, free of carefully hidden cast-iron cannons that could obliterate half your forces, if you're not careful. Just remember, our arrangement is a two-way street.”

“And one we will honor,” assured Lord Drevyn. “You may ‘steal,’ whatever resources belonged to the orcs or the original inhabitants to your heart’s content, and no Elf will bar your passage from this land… should you truly wish to leave us.”

This earned a honeyed chuckle from Lady Verona. “Oh indeed, Eric. I’m sure there are all sorts of pretty trinkets to claim in the houses of the former elite.” Verona flashed a teasing smile. “But don’t let any glorious heist keep you from staying and making a home here with us, your friends in the stormy seas of a newly claimed world. In fact, I look forward to seeing firsthand whatever delicious prizes you might find. And do keep a gentleman’s eye out for any cozy little homes you think might suit you, while you're robbing the former rich. You might steal their prize jewels, but wouldn't it be even nicer to claim an entire building for yourself? I think Lord Drevyn and I would both agree that you’ve more than earned that prize.”

Lord Drevyn nodded, flashing a devastatingly charming smile. “Verona is absolutely right, Eric. Choose whichever building suits your fancy. And you’d be truly amazed at not only our ability to preserve that building from escalating decay, but our ability to transform it into an edifice truly worthy of a champion. Because as soon as our territory is secure, you’ll find the world’s very essence supporting, and enhancing, your chosen structure for centuries to come.”

Eric grinned, saluting them both with his drink, carefully saying nothing as the monitors faded to black.

Eric waited long moments, doing his best to calm his racing heart before turning to the wondrous prize his friends had left behind.

It wouldn't seem like anything special at first glance. More a backpack an ROTC student might favor, were it not for the perfume-scented note he had found on top of a bag that, should anyone bother to look inside, would find quite the collection of socks, shirts, and pants stuffed within.

Eric blinked away a warm tear as he reread that note, written by friends who actually cared, revealing so many wondrous secrets within that tactical backpack weighing well over 200 pounds.